Vending system using a value storing key

ABSTRACT

A self-service system for obtaining vendible products or services in which a release key is used, this key incorporating a tally which is set for the purchase of products or services up to a certain value and also having sensing means to co-operate with a product or service dispenser, so that the tally is devalued according to the value dispensed with the tally indicating goods or service value dispensed, the key being ineffective when the set value is exhausted, the sensing means operating by cooperating permanent magnets between the key and dispenser and pulse producing control means.

[ June 20, 1972 [54] VENDING SYSTEM USING A VALUE STORING KEY [72]inventor: Theodor Asper, Bergwerkstrasse 37, Horgen, Switzerland [22]Filed: Sept. 1, 1970 [2| Appl. No.: 68,660

30 Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 19, 1969 Switzerland..l4200/69 52 us. Cl. ..222/2, 194/4 R, 222/30, 235/617 B 51 Int. Cl...G07t 13/00 [58] Field of Search ..222/2, 23, 30, 36-38; 340/147;235/617 B, 94, 132 E; 194/4, 2, l2, 4 R

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,672,067 3/1954 Hansel].235] 132 E 3,559,175 l/197l Pameroy ..235/6l.7B

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-David A. ScherbelAttomey-Robert E. Burns and Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT A self-servicesystem for obtaining vendible products or services in which a releasekey is used, this key incorporating a tally which is set for thepurchase of products or services up to a certain value and also havingsensing means to co-operate with a product or service dispenser, so thatthe tally is devalued according to the value dispensed with the tallyindicating goods or service value dispensed, the key being ineffectivewhen the set value is exhausted, the sensing means operating byco-operating permanent magnets between the key and dispenser and pulseproducing control means.

8 Chins, 4 Drawing Figures VENDING SYSTEM USING A VALUE STORING KEYBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns automaticself-service systems, in which a vendible product such as gasolene ordiesel fuel or a service such as automobile washing can be obtained by acustomer having a key, this key being used to operate appropriatedispensing apparatus. Systems are known in which coin operateddispensers are rendered operative by a key, each customer having anumbered key which engages a lock numbered to correspond with his keynumber. With this system each customer must have a different key and thedispenser a lock for each key, so that expensive and complicatedmechanisms are essential. Further, this self-service system ispracticable only with one form of dispenser, and in the case of gasolenepurchase a customer can use his key only at one dispensing pump.

An object of this invention is to provide a self-service system in whichthe holder of a key can obtain goods from any dispenser adapted to thesystem. Another object is to provide a system in which the key entitlesthe key holder to obtain goods up to a certain maximum monetary value asdistinct from quantity. Thus, in the case of gasolene, a key holder canselect a required grade of fuel which will be delivered in quantityaccording to value.

A further object is to provide a key which can be used to operate adispenser and on which the monetary value of goods or the like deliveredis indicated on a tally counter, the key being purchased for a certainprice and which is ineffective in operating a dispenser after goods havebeen delivered to the value paid.

A still further object is to provide a system in which an effective andtamper-proof sensing means is provided, operating by magneticco-operation between the key and the dispenser.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the invention the automatic dispensingmeans comprises a value storage unit having means to initiate dispensingfrom a dispensing apparatus, impulse transmitting means in said unit toco-operate with the dispensing apparatus to effect dispensingdevaluation means in said unit to reduce the stored value as dispensingprogresses, said devaluation means including a rotatable permanentmagnet for magnetic connection with a rotatable permanent magnet on theautomatic coin-operated vending apparatus or machine, and coupled to adispensing unit thereof, each of the permanent magnets being kineticallyconnected with at least one control device which produces control pulsesdependent on the rotary movement of the permanent magnets and which aremutually compared in relation to their pulse sequence, the dispensingunit being rendered operative in the event of a synchronous pulsesequence but inoperative in the event of an asynchronous pulse sequence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention isillustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is an enlarged view of a key;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the key illustrated in FIG. I,and also a cut out portion of an automatic coinoperated vending machineinto which the key can be inserted;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the key, and

FIG. 4 shows a detail from FIG. 2, as viewed in the direction indicatedby an arrow A.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The key shown in the drawings has ahousing I of non-magnetic material, for example aluminum, ofsubstantially cylindrical shape, with a longitudinal axis 5 (FIG. 3) andthree flattened portions 2, 3 and 4. The flattened portion 4 contains awindow 6 through which digits of a counting mechanism are visible.Within the housing I, and slightly off-center with respect to the axis5, a shaft 8 is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis 7, the shaftcarrying permanent magnets 9 and 10 at its opposite ends. Onthe shaft 8a counting unit I] is mounted having four disc drums. A ball 12 servesas an axial thrust bearing. The housing 1 is closed at one end by aplate 13, and at the other by a cover 14 of brass or othernon-magnetizable material. The cover 14 which is of cylindrical shape,perfonns the same function as the usual ward of a safety-type key and isprovided for this purpose with a number of locating means such as marks15 in the form of recesses on its outer surface. An arresting device(not shown) ensures that the magnet I0, and thus the counting unit, canbe rotated only in the direction shown by the arrow 18 in FIG. 3. InFIG. 3 the cover 14 of the key has been omitted. The disc-shapedpermanent magnet 9, which forms a part of a magnetic clutch, has morethan two poles which are distributed with alternating polarities aroundthe periphery. The magnet 9 is face-magnetized, so that the lines offorce 19 shown as broken lines in FIG. 2, extend from the front surfaceof the disc. The permanent magnet 10 forms part of a control devicewhich in a manner to be explained later constantly ensures that thedispensing unit of the automatic coin-operated vending machine can berendered operative only with an appropriate key of which the valuestorage unit has not yet run out. This permanent magnet 10 serves toemit continuous pulses during the devaluation of the key. In the exampleshown, the magnet 10 has six poles distributed around its periphery withalternating polarity. This magnet 10 is magnetized radially, so that thelinesof force 20 shown as broken lines in FIG. 4 are in the plane of andextend from the magnet 10. The magnets 9 and 10 are non-rotatablymounted on the shaft 8, and can only be rotated in one direction, inwhich the value storage unit, which in this example is in the form ofthe counting mechanism 1 l, is devalued. The counting mechanism can berotated back from any selected number. In the example shown the key isintended to represent a total value of 500 francs, so that with theunused key the digits 5,0,0,0 will be visible in the window 6. In thekey shown in FIG 1 a devaluation of 20 centimes has taken place, so thatthe key shows-a value of Frs. 499.8.

Those parts of the machine which concern the invention will now beexplained. From the price counting mechanism of a fuel pump, a rotatableshaft 21 leads to a connection 22 for the key above described. Onerevolution of the shaft 21 corresponds to one operation step of theprice counting mechanism on the fuel pump, for example equivalent to lfranc. The shaft 21, through a transmission gearing (not shown), drivesa shaft 23 so that the said shaft 23 rotates 10 times the rate ofrotation of the shaft 21. A permanent magnet 24 is mounted on the shafl23, which magnet is constructed on the same lines as the permanentmagnet9 on the key and which forms the second part of the magneticclutch which comprises the magnets 9, 24. The magnetic lines of force ofthe magnet 24 are also referenced l9. Owing to the method ofpolarization of the two magnets 9 and 24, the same effect is obtained asin the case of clutch elements with spur tooth gearing. A protectivewall 25 of non-magnetic material is provided in the vicinity of themagnet 24. Around the wall 25 is a ring 26 to serve as a keyhole for thekey. The ring 26 has radially adjustable locking pins 27 which can beadjusted by a rotatable outer ring 28, and which comprise locating meanscomplementary to the means 15. The ring 28 has a handle 29 and a contactarm 30 and can be turned in either direction between two limitpositions. In one of these positions the locking pins 27 are in theirinnermost position, as viewed radially, while the contact arm 30 restsagainst a contact 31, while in the other position the contact 30, 31 isopen and the locking pins 27 have been moved radially outwardly beyondthe internal surface of the ring 26. In this position the key 32 can beinserted axially into the ring 26 in a marked single position. The saidmarking (not shown) may consist, for example, of a notch on the ring 26and on the key 32. A screening system 33 is fixed to the shafi 21, whichsystem includes a cylindrical cage with a number of screening arms 34which consist of a magnetizable material. The screening system 33contains at least one fixed permanent magnet 35 having magnetic lines offorce 36. Radially outside the screening system 33, and opposite to themagnet 35, is a switch 37 in the zone of action of the said magnet, andconstructed, for example, as a reed contact switch. If a screening arm34 is situated between the magnet 35 and the switch 37, the magneticfield does not affectthe switch 37, which changes over into its otherswitching position. In the example, the screening system 33 has sixscreening arms 34 and two angularly staggered magnets 35 are provided.Opposite the two magnets also are two switches 37. This system has beenselected in order to obtain accurate pulse sequences always, resultingfrom the closing of one switch accompanied by the opening of the otherswitch. The screening system 33 with magnet 35 and switches 37constitute a control system provided on the automatic coin operatedvending machine, for example on the petrol pump. On the rotation of theshaft 21 pulses are continuously produced by the switch 37 and areconveyed via lines 38 and 39 to comparison device 40. A second controldevice is formed by the magnet on the key 32, and a switch 41 providedon the automatic coinoperated vending machine. If the key 32 has beeninserted in the cylinder (keyhole) 22 on the machine, then the permanentmagnet 10, as shown in FIG. 2, is positioned opposite the switch 41 andthus in the zone of action of the magnet 10. The switch 41 is a reedcontact change-over switch. On the rotation of the magnet 10 the switch41 is continuously switched over, and on each occasion emits pulseswhich are conveyed to the comparison device 40 via connecting lines 42,43 and 44. If the pulses take place through the switches 37 and 41 andthe lines 38, 39, 42, 43 and 44respectively in the same pulse sequence,a slip-free coupling is obtained between the permanent magnets 9 and 24.If slip occurs between the two magnets 9 and 24 the pulse sequence isdisturbed.

The machine interacts with the key in the following manner: The key 32is inserted, in the pre-selected position, into the keyhole 22, untilthe cover meets the wall 25. The ring 28 is then rotated by the handle29, in which operation the locking pins 27 engage the recesses 15 of thekey, fixing the same in position in the machine. If an incorrect key isused, the ap propriate recesses 15 of the key will not be opposite thelocking pins 27, and the ring 28 cannot be moved into the appropriatefinal position in which the contacts 30 and 31 will be closed to closean electrical circuit which switches on a pump of the fuel dispensingapparatus (not shown). The flow of fuel due to the pump operation isalso opened by a magnetic valve in the fuel dispensing apparatus. Aslongas the valve at the outlet of a hose from the fuel dispensing apparatusto a consuming tank is closed, no fuel 'is taken, and the fuelcirculates within the fuel dispensing apparatus. As soon as fuel istaken, the shaft 21, driven from the price counting mechanism of thefuel dispensing apparatus, rotates, as a result of which the shaft 23will be driven in the direction of rotation shown in FIG. 2. Thecounting mechanism 1 l of the key 32 is driven in a slip-free manner bythe clutch magnets 9 and 24. On each revolution of the magnet 10 sixpulses will be produced in the switch 41. According to the number ofscreening arms 34 and the number of permanent magnets 35 used and thecorresponding number of switches 37, a corresponding number of pulsesper rotation of the shaft 21 will also be generated in the fueldispensing apparatus. This pulse sequence is monitored in the electroniccomparison unit 40. When the pulse sequence remains constant thedispensing unit for the supply of fuel remains operative. If a slipoccurs in the magnetic clutch the pulse sequence received from theswitch 41 will differ from that received from the switch 37 and thisdifference will be detected by the comparison device 40 which thereuponprovides a signal to close the magnetic valve provided in the fueldispensing apparatus. The fuel dispensing unit of the machine is thusswitched off. The aforementioned disturbance to the pulse sequenceoccurs as soon as a slip amounting to an angle of rotation of 60 takesplace in the magnetic clutch, since the magnet 10, as shown in FIG. 4,will then already lag by onesixth in the pulse sequence. As the shaft 21starting from the price counting mechanism performs one rotation when lfrancs worth of fuel has been sold, one rotation of the magnet 10corresponds to a value of 10 centimes, owing to the gear ratio of 1:10between the shafts 21 and 23. One rotation of the magnet 10 from onepulse to the next, i.e., by 60, thus corresponds to a value ofapproximately 1.6 centimes.

A slip in the magnetic clutch 9 and 24 occurs when the value storageunit of the key 32 is devalued, i.e., when the counting mechanism 11 inthe example shown has moved back to zero. In this position, in which ithas run off, the counting mechanism is blocked.

If an already devalued key 32 is inserted in the keyhole 22, themechanism runs off in the same way, with the difference that as soon asthe magnet 24 starts up a slip occurs in relation to the magnet 9, andthe previously opened magnetic valve is again closed. With the use of adevalued key, therefore, it would theoretically be possible, under theleast favorable circumstances, for 1.6 centimes worth of fuel to beextracted from the coin-operated automatic vending machine. To enableeven this to be prevented, a retarding element could be provided in themachine to ensure that fuel could only emerge after a short time lag.

Other switches could be used in place of reed contact switches 37 and41. The example illustrated also shows two different forms of controldevice. The control device 33 to 37 in the machine makes use of amagneticfield 36 which is in a permanent position and is alternatelyscreened or not by the switch 37 via the screening systems 34. In thecase of the other control device (FIG. 4) the switch 41 alternatelyenters magnetic fields of alternating polarity of the rotating permanentmagnet 10. It would also be possible for an additional fixed permanentmagnet to be provided underneath the switch 41 (FIG. 4). This magnetwould act continuously on the switch 41,-in which case the magneticfield of-the additional magnet would be continuously influenced by therotating permanent magnet 10.

I claim:

1. An automatic dispensing system comprising dispensing apparatus havingproduct dispensing means and a key having a value storage unit and meansto initiate dispensing from the dispensing apparatus, means forsynchronously magnetically coupling the dispensing means of saidapparatus with the value storage unit of said key to reduce the storedvalue as dispensing progresses, said coupling means comprising arotatable permanent magnet coupled with said value storage unit and acooperating rotatable permanent magnet coupled with said dispensingmeans, means for detecting slip in said magnetic coupling to stopdispensing of the product by said dispensing means when slippageexceeding a predetermined value occurs, said detecting means comprisingfirst pulse generating means kinetically coupled with said dispensingmeans to generate a pulse with each selected increment of operation ofsaid dispensing means, second pulse generating means kinetically coupledwith said value storage unit to generate a pulse with each correspondingincrement of devaluation of said storage unit, and circuit meansreceiving and comparing said pulses from said first and second pulsegenerating means and providing a signal to stop said dispensing meanswhen the pulse sequence received from said second pulse generating meansdoes not correspond to the pulse sequence received from said first pulsegenerating means.

2. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 1, I

wherein said magnets comprise disc shaped permanent magnets with morethan two poles of alternating polarity distributed over the periphery ofthe disc, the magnets being face magnetized, so that the lines of forceextend from the adjacent surfaces of the discs.

3. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 1, wherein thekey comprises a cylinder the surface of which has flattened portions.

4. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 3, wherein oneend portion of the key has locating means distributed around itsperiphery and the keyhole of the dispensing apparatus has complementarylocating means which coincide in position with locating means of thekey.

5. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 4, wherein thelocating means of the key consist of recesses and those in the keyholeconsist of radially adjustable pins, and wherein said dispensingapparatus has a control element that cooperates with said pins and ismovable manually into an end position by the user when the pins engagewith the recesses to initiate the operation of the dispensing means.

6. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 5 for thedispensing of liquid fuel by means of a pump, wherein the controlelement in an end position starts up a pump motor of the fuel dispensingapparatus and a magnetic valve in a circulating conduit is opened, sothat the fuel circulates.

7. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 1, wherein thesecond pulse generating means kinetically connected with the valuestorage unit of the key comprises a discshaped radially magnetizedpermanent magnet of which the poles are distributed around the peripheryof the disc, so that the lines of force are in the plane of the disc andradially emergent, and the vending machine is provided with a switch ofwhich the position is fixed and which, when the key has been inserted inthe keyhole, is located in the zone of action of the radially magnetizedpermanent magnet to produce control pulses on the rotation of the saidradially magnetized permanent magnet.

8. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 1, wherein thefirst pulse generating means kinetically connected with the dispensingmeans of the apparatus comprises at least one permanent magnet of whichthe position is fixed, and in the zone of action of said magnet a switchalso fixed in position, and a rotatable screening system kineticallycoupled with said dispensing means and having screening means thatpasses between said magnet and said switch to actuate the switch andthereby generate pulses as said screening system rotates.

1. An automatic dispensing system comprising dispensing apparatus havingproduct dispensing means and a key having a value storage unit and meansto initiate dispensing from the dispensing apparatus, means forsynchronously magnetically coupling the dispensing means of saidapparatus with the value storage unit of said key to reduce the storedvalue as dispensing progresses, said coupling means comprising arotatable permanent magnet coupled with said value storage unit and acooperating rotatable permanent magnet coupled with said dispensingmeans, means for detecting slip in said magnetic coupling to stopdispensing of the product by said dispensing means when slippageexceeding a predetermined value occurs, said detecting means comprisingfirst pulse generating means kinetically coupled with said dispensingmeans to generate a pulse with each selected increment of operation ofsaid dispensing means, second pulse generating means kinetically coupledwith said value storage unit to generate a pulse with each correspondingincrement of devaluation of said storage unit, and circuit meansreceiving and comparing said pulses from said first and second pulsegenerating means and providing a signal to stop said dispensing meanswhen the pulse sequence received from said second pulse generating meansdoes not correspond to the pulse sequence received from said first pulsegenerating means.
 2. Automatic dispensing system in accordance withclaim 1, wherein said magnets comprise disc shaped permanent magnetswith more than two poles of alternating polarity distributed over theperiphery of the disc, the magnets being face magnetized, so that thelines of force extend from the adjacent surfaces of the discs. 3.Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the keycomprises a cylinder the surface of which has flattened portions. 4.Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 3, wherein one endportion of the key has locating means distributed around its peripheryand the keyhole of the dispensing apparatus has complementary locatingmeans which coincide in position with locating means of the key. 5.Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 4, wherein thelocating means of the key consist of recesses and those in the keyholeconsist of radially adjustable pins, and wherein said dispensingapparatus has a control element that cooperates with said pins and ismovable manually into an end position by the user when the pins engagewith the recesses to initiate the operation of the dispensing means. 6.Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 5 for thedispensing of liquid fuel by means of a pump, wherein the controlelement in an end position starts up a pump motor of the fuel dispensingapparatus and a magnetic valve in a circulating conduit is opened, sothat the fuel circulates.
 7. Automatic dispensing system in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the second pulse generating means kineticallyconnected with the value storage unit of the key comprises a disc-shapedradially magnetized permanent magnet of which the poles are distributedaround the periphery of the disc, so that the lines of force are in theplane of the disc and radially emergent, and the vending machine isprovided with a switch of which the position is fixed and which, whenthe key has been inserted in the keyhole, is located in the zone ofaction of the radially magnetized permanent magnet to produce controlpulses on the rotation of the said radially magnetized permanent magnet.8. Automatic dispensing system in accordance with claim 1, wherein thefirst pulse generating means kinetically connected with the dispensingmeans of the apparatus comprises at least one permanent magnet of whichthe position is fixed, and in the zone of action of said magnet a switchalso fixed in position, and a rotatable screening system kineticallycoupled with said dispensing means and having screening means thatpasses between said magnet and said switch to actuate the switch andthereby generate pulses as said screening system rotates.